Even with seating for up to seven passengers, the CX-9 still offers plenty of that Mazda magic.
Pros A rare fun-to-drive SUV, near-luxury cabin trimmings, top-quality fit-and-finish Cons Limited cargo space with rearmost seat in use, tight quarters for third-row passengers.
The 2021 Mazda CX-9 crossover SUV rewards drivers with good road manners, but takes a penalty in third-row space.
Pros Very attractive Well-done interior Good safety gear Engaging responsiveness
Cons Distracting infotainment controller Cramped third-row and cargo space Limited lineup
The 2019 Buick Encore ranked #3 in Subcompact SUVs. Currently the Buick Encore has a score of 8.2 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 37 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Nice interior with lots of standard features User-friendly infotainment system Nimble handling
Cons Underpowered base engine Higher base price than rivals
The Encore's available trims have been downsized to the base and Preferred models for 2021. With the exception of adding Dark Moon Blue Metallic and Cinnabar Metallic exterior colors, Buick hasn't made any changes to its smallest SUV.
Pros Smooth ride, intuitive infotainment setup, surprisingly spacious cabin.
Cons Not as fuel efficient as key rivals, lacks standard safety tech, just plain slow.
Simplified trim lineup. Improved suite of driver safety aids.
Pros Hushed cabin at highway speeds Maneuverable size
Cons Tepid acceleration Limited feature availability Small cargo area Unimpressive fuel economy
